Seasoned squad
Anderson County leans on experience in quest for state berth
Roxana Aguilar is one of several experienced underclassmen returning to the Lady Mavericks soccer team for 2025. Head Coach Chris Curtin and his players have high expectations for the coming season.
“This may sound arrogant, but I expect to win the district and get to the sectionals at the very least,” Curtin said. “I don’t know much about the other district in the region. I don’t know what Seymour’s got.”
Curtin’s confidence comes with good reason. The Lady Mavericks return a deep, experienced roster from a 2024 squad that swept both the District 4-AA and Region 2-AA titles.
But the elusive state tournament berth still hangs over the program.
The Lady Mavs, who finished 12-7-1 last season, went undefeated in district play and rolled through both the district and regional tournaments before stumbling in the final hurdle.
“The last two years, we lost at home in the sectionals to the same team,” Curtin said. “We lost to Tennessee High.”
Anderson County will lean on six returning seniors to anchor each third of the field. Defender and team captain Bralee Hall leads the back line, while midfielders Millie Swisher, Megan Shock, Jocelyn Amos and Olivia Madron control the center. Forward Emily Moser brings experience up top.
Other key returners include juniors Roxana Aguilar (forward) and Morgan Haire (midfielder), along with sophomores Lily Trent (forward), Emma App (defender) and Kaili Villaba (forward). Freshmen Katie Ahlstedt and Kate Swisher are expected to bolster the midfield.
The Lady Mavericks technically enter 2025 already 1-0 in District 4-AA after Union County opted to forfeit its matchup — a decision that left Curtin frustrated.
“I’m disappointed,” he said. “Union County decided not to play us. They called and said they were taking a forfeit. But I think they’re going to play everybody else in the district.”
Curtin believes his team’s biggest strength this season will be its wealth of experience.
“But that will be an area of concern moving forward, because we’ll have to figure out how to replace all of those seniors next season,” the coach said.
“We have depth, skill and experience at every position,” he said. “I feel pretty good about that.
“I have nine freshmen this year and they’ll have a chance for good development.”
Anderson County opens the 2025 season at home against Oliver Springs on Monday, Aug. 18.
Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m.
